Affordable alternativ to the PS Audio DirectStream DAC


I have borrowed a DirectStream DAC from my dealer very nice of him because he knows that I can't afford it (:
I have to say it is everything I have ever wanted from a streamer/dac. Music just pouring out of my speakers, real sweet music.

Voices just sounds so real, everything is in place, there are details but not in your face. I just love it. This is like music should sound.

I am using it with a PrimaLuna HP integrated. Very nice combo.

The DirectStream DAC junior is discontinuing and I can't get my hands on a used one.

If you have heard the DirectStream DAC and know of another dac sounding as musical -- let me know   
martin-andersen
"I have reported @audiotroy for trying to stuff a T2 down my throat .."

Seriously? Are you a 2 year old? You should read some of the aftermarket fuse and power cord threads to build some character...
@gosta

Technically you are right. For around $2000 or less you get SOTA in measurement performance. The rest is taste or presentation. The PS Audio DS DAC Snr has a large following and rightly so. Measurements aren’t as good as some but the balance of sound is great. Same can be send for various tube amps - not as good technically - but sweet sounding and in some cases audibility is improved by added harmonics. I think the magic of the PS Audio DSD is the added effect of the transformer output...

I believe that tube harmonics help audibility of instruments which don’t have as much natural harmonics themselves. Hi-hat is a good example as it doesn’t naturally have a load of harmonics like other instruments. Many vocalists benefit from added richness of tubes. Guitars sound richer too but in electric guitar genre the tube effect is often already on the recording.
+1 @audiotroy

“the Benchmark does not sound like any of these dacs.”

Agreed. Benchmark is like sitting at Row 1 and PS Audio DSD is like Row 8 to 10.

I limited experience with Schiit but that might be a cheaper option in the direction the OP seeks...

I also agree with the OP description of the PS audio DSD DAC - no loss of detail but a more laid back presentation.
I don’t think they even make this anymore so probably not much help.  I prefer my Oppo Sonica with Modwright tube mods over my PS Audio DS DAC. It is however somewhat system dependent.